    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
    [November 20, 2004]
    [Pages 2985-2986]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    November 20, 2004

        Good morning. This weekend I am on my first trip outside the United
    States since the election, traveling to South America for the Asian-
    Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. I am meeting with many allies and
    friends to strengthen our ties across the Pacific and discuss practical
    ways we can enhance prosperity, advance liberty, and improve our shared
    security.
        America and the nations of Latin America and Asia share many vital
    interests. All Pacific nations benefit from free and fair trade, the
    foundation of this region's remarkable prosperity. The United States has
    completed free trade agreements with nations throughout Asia and the
    Americas, including Australia and Singapore, Chile, the five nations in
    Central America, and the Dominican Republic. We are also negotiating new
    agreements with Thailand, Panama, and the Andean nations of South
    America. America has opened our markets, and I will urge other countries
    to do the same.
        Pacific nations also have a clear interest in spreading the benefits
    of liberty, democracy, and good government across this vital part of the
    world. From the recent history of the Asia-Pacific region, we know that
    freedom is indivisible. The economic liberty

    [[Page 2986]]

    that builds prosperity also builds a demand for limited government and
    self rule. Modernization and progress eventually require freedom in all
    its forms. And the advance of freedom is good for all, because free
    societies are peaceful societies.
        America and our friends are helping other countries lay the
    foundations of democracy by establishing independent courts, a free
    press, political parties, and trade unions, by instituting the rule of
    law, and by keeping up the fight against corruption.
        America joined with other members of the Organization of American
    States to create the Inter-American Democratic Charter. This charter
    recognizes democracy as the fundamental right of all peoples in the
    Americas and pledges our governments to promoting and defending the
    institutions of liberty.
        All Pacific nations must also keep up the fight against the forces
    of terror that threaten the success of our economies and the stability
    of the world. At last year's summit, APEC leaders started a major
    initiative to strengthen the security of ports and transportation
    networks, to defend our aircraft from the threat of portable missiles,
    and to end the flow of terrorist finances. This year, APEC leaders will
    work together to improve the security of our ships and ports. We will
    develop a new system to track and stop the travel of suspected
    terrorists using forged or stolen documents. And we launched new
    programs to support APEC members that have the will to fight terror but
    need help in developing the means. Terrorism is a threat, not just to
    the West or to the wealthy but to every nation. And every nation must
    fight the murderers.
        During my trip, I will also meet with President Lagos of Chile and President Uribe
    of Colombia to reaffirm our strong ties with those nations. Colombia is
    making progress in the fight against terrorists who traffic in illegal
    drugs, and America is standing with the Colombian Government to oppose
    the drug trade that destroys lives in our countries and threatens the
    stability of our hemisphere.
        In my second term, I will continue to pursue a confident foreign
    policy agenda that will spread freedom and hope and make our Nation more
    secure. America seeks wider trade and broader freedom and greater
    security for the benefit of America, our partners, and all of the world.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 8:35 a.m. on November 18 in the
    Cabinet Room at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on November
    20. The transcript was made available by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on November 19 but was embargoed for release until the
    broadcast. In his remarks, the President referred to President Ricardo
    Lagos of Chile; and President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia. The Office of
    the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this
    address.